Study

Study contents

The bachelor's program in biogeosciences is based on a solid education in mathematics, physics and especially chemistry in the first semesters. Extensive content from the geosciences (e.g. hydrogeology, environmental geochemistry, soil science) and biosciences (e.g. limnology, microbiology) is taught and integratively combined in courses specially created for the program (bio-geo-lnteractions, mining and environmental law).

The excursions have a high practical relevance. They serve to observe environmental processes in nature in order to better understand and classify them.

In the 5th semester, students can choose from a wide range of elective modules, which allows them to study abroad without having to extend their studies.

A 6-week professional internship towards the end of the program gives an insight into typical professional fields and provides initial contacts with the professional world.

  • Curriculum

    Screenshot Studienplan

    Image: IGW

    The current curriculum for the bachelor's degree program in Biogeosciences is available for download hereExternal link

  • Module Catalog - Bachelor of Science Biogeosciences

    Screenshot module catalog

    Image: IGW

    The current module catalog Bachelor of Science Biogeosciences is available for download hereExternal link

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Additional modules

    Additional modules are those modules that do not count towards the credit points to be acquired in the Bachelor's and Master's degree.

    Additional modules offer students the opportunity to acquire further competencies in addition to the modules of the Biogeosciences program that are suitable for the subject.

    Additional modules are not restricted in terms of content; they can, for example, be modules on soft skills such as language courses, but also subject-related content from neighboring disciplines.

    Upon application to the examination office, an additional module can be marked on the certificate if

    • the module was offered through the Friedrich Schiller University (e.g. Foreign Language Center, other faculties..)
    • the module has been awarded credit points
    • the module was completed with a graded examination
    • the student can provide appropriate proof of the module he/she has completed 

    If you are unsure whether a module you are taking or plan to take meets these requirements, please seek academic advice from the Examinations Office or your subject advisors.

    Recommended additional modulesExternal link (under construction)

  • Study/examination regulations

    Study/examination regulations

    The criteria by which the performance of the students is evaluated are defined in the study regulations and the examination regulations of the bachelor program Biogeosciences.

    The examination and study regulations are available to students as a download on this page. In addition, students can make use of subject advising services in general cases and consult with the person responsible for the module in special cases.

    Detailed contents of the individual modules can be found in the module descriptions and are presented by the responsible lecturers at the beginning of the semester.

    Study regulations

    Study regulations from March 9, 2009External link
    1. amendment of the study regulations from April 18, 2012External link

    Examination regulations

    Examination regulations from March 9, 2009External link
    1st amendment of the examination regulations of June 29, 2011External link
    2nd amendment to the examination regulations of April 18, 2012External link

  • Audit Committee

    The Examination Committee Bachelor

    The examination committee Bachelor Biogeosciences is composed as follows:

    • Prof. Dr. Kai Uwe Totsche (Chairman)
    • Prof. Dr. Erika Kothe
    • Prof. Dr. Kirsten Küsel
    • Prof. Dr. Thorsten Schäfer (Vice Chairman)
    • Dr. Dirk Merten
    • Dr. Katrin Krause
    • cand. Bachelor Biogeosciences Carla-Lena Peter (Student member)

    Resolutions and supplementary communications of the Audit Committee

    Implementation of project modules (Bachelor and Master)

    All project modules must be completed within the times specified in the study plan. Deviation from these times is only possible in exceptional cases and must be justified to the person responsible for the module in advance. The project module must be registered before it begins and the supervisor of the work must be named. An extension of project modules is generally excluded. If these regulations are not adhered to without consulting the person responsible for the module, the project module is considered not to have been carried out.

    Extension of final theses

    An extension of final papers is only possible in cases where the student is not at fault for not meeting the deadline. The request for an extension must be submitted informally to the chair of the examination committee at least 2 weeks before the deadline. For the application, the endorsement of the first examiner must be obtained and attached to the application. In case of approval, the second examiner must also be informed about the extension and the new submission deadline.

    Note

    In principle, no modules from the Bachelor Biogeosciences can be brought into the Master Biogeosciences with relevance to credit points and grades. However, if the modules have not already been taken in the Bachelor's program and if there are no capacity problems, the modules can be taken in the Master's program and documented as additional modules (no LP and no grade relevance for the Master's degree) on the Master's certificate.

    Supervision of final thesis

    From now on, all registrations for final theses (Bachelor's and Master's theses) have to be sent to the examination office via the chairman of the examination board (Prof. Totsche). The registration form will be modified accordingly.

    Supervision of external theses

    External supervision of final theses is possible in exceptional cases. In these cases, a significant lecturer of the course of studies Biogeosciences must act as first examiner. Decisions are made by the chairman of the examination board (Prof. Totsche).

    Study abroad

    The 5th semester of the Bachelor of Biogeosciences and the 2nd semester of the Master of Biogeosciences are considered for study abroad. Regarding the modules taken abroad, students have to coordinate with the subject advisors (Prof. Dr. K.U. Totsche and/or Dr. D. Merten) in advance. For organizational advice, students should urgently contact the International Office of the Friedrich Schiller University. The financing of the stay abroad is the sole responsibility of the students. The ERASMUS program can be considered for possible funding. Please contact the ERASMUS representatives of the Faculty of Chemical and Earth Sciences or the Faculty of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, depending on the preferred subject orientation of your study abroad.

  • Bachelor thesis

    Registration for the bachelor thesis

    Please fill out the application completely and have it signed by both your first and second reviewer. Please write your name and the names of the first and second reviewer legibly! The application signed by the applicant and both reviewers has to be handed in to the examination office of the Faculty of Chemical and Geosciences at least two weeks before the start of the Bachelor thesis.

    Application for admission to the bachelor thesis in the course of study Biogeosciences de

    Decision of the Audit Committee

    In accordance with the decision of the Biogeosciences Examination Committee of 04.09.2013, the following regulation applies with immediate effect: 

    A core team is defined, which significantly supports the study program Biogeosciences in research and teaching.

    At least one reviewer of the bachelor thesis must come from this core team!

    The core team is composed of

    • Prof. Dr. Anke Kleidon-Hildebrandt
    • Prof. Dr. Erika Kothe
    • Prof. Dr. Kirsten Küsel
    • Prof. Dr. Falko Langenhorst
    • Prof. Dr. Juraj Majzlan
    • Prof. Dr. Thorsten Schäfer
    • Prof. Dr. Kai Uwe Totsche
    • Dr. Katrin Krause
    • Dr. Dirk Merten

    Extension of the bachelor thesis

    According to §12 paragraph 4, final papers can be extended by 3 weeks upon application to the examination board.

    The informal application is to be submitted in writing by the candidate to the BGW Examination Committee (for the attention of Prof. Totsche). The consent of the first examiner must be obtained in advance and documented on the application. The reason for the extension must not be the candidate's own fault. Informal applications must be submitted no later than 2 weeks before the deadline for submission of the thesis. The application should preferably be submitted via the Hydrogeology Department.

    After examination of the application, the candidate and the examination office will be informed about the decision.

    gez. Kai Totsche (28-06-2012)